Major Concentration Overview

Students enrolled in Teacher Education Programs in the College of Education and Social Services are all required to complete a 30-hour (minimum) major in the liberal arts and sciences.

Students in secondary education complete majors in very specific areas (English, Science, Social Studies, etc.).

Students in elementary education, early childhood education, early childhood special education, and physical education have more flexibility and the 30 hour liberal arts and sciences major for these programs is referred to as a major concentration.

The approved major concentrations include the following disciplines and the requirements for each are listed at the CESS Student Services website.

There is also an Individually Designed Interdisciplinary Major Concentration (IDIMC). We encourage students to first select one of the specific options mentioned earlier and change to an IDIMC later if they wish to include more than one discipline in their Major Concentration.

Points of Interest

Art is not an option as a Major Concentration without special permission from the Art Department. This is seldom granted and it is unfortunate, but there simply isnt space in the Art courses for everyone hoping to enroll. Students interested in Art should consider the Art Education program.

Students in the Physical Education program generally complete a Major Concentration in Exercise and Sport Science, which overlaps with courses they already complete for the Physical Education program. Courses may fill more than one requirement, but the credits are only counted once. This means that a PE student completing a Major Concentration in Exercise and Sport Science will have more free elctive credits to fill.

While there are many Major Concentrations available, students should consider enrolling in one of the options that is also listed as a major for students in Secondary Education. For example, a student in Elementary Education who completes a Major Concentration in Math would be recommended for licensure and a first endorsement in Elementary Education Kindergarten through grade 6. When the individual applies for licensure and the first endorsement, s/he may also request a second endorsement in Secondary Education Math.